A list of lift strut suppliers (updated 12 Dec 2007)

Re: A list of lift strut suppliers (updated Oct 2007)

I am thinking about ordering the struts from Airframes Inc. Is anyone else interested in the north texas area so that shipping could be combined and save us some money.
Mike

Just a thought. When I ordered mine from Univair I considered buying an extra set for resale and figured I would save on shipping.

Was surprized to find out that Univair puts them in a shipping tube that can only hold four (4) so there was no way to save $ on shipping.

I wonder if other companies use the same or similar tube?

FEDEX from Colorado to eastern NY was about $105.

Dave

[mike bc12d]

Re: A list of lift strut suppliers (updated Oct 2007)

I am thinking about ordering the struts from Airframes Inc. Is anyone else interested in the north texas area so that shipping could be combined and save us some money.
Mike

[DanBrown]

Re: A list of lift strut suppliers (updated Oct 2007)

Univair's PMA does not cover the pre-war models. So for us, the choice is the factory or Airframes. The factory has been delaying deliveries, and not calling back when promised, so I have changed my order to Airframes.

Re: A list of lift strut suppliers

So far looks like there are 3 sources for struts

Please add others that I missed.

Prices below are for four struts only, 2 front and 2 rear I round prices up to the next $50 increment. I kept it to 4 struts only so its a fair compare. Don't compare a price with jury struts included to a price witout them. Just keep it to comparison of the four needed struts.


********** I only list FAA/PMA sources below **************

1) Univair about $2750 => http://www.univairparts.com/

2) Tayorcraft about $3250 => http://www.taylorcraft.com/zencart/

3) Airfames Inc about $1800* => http://www.supercubs.com/fab_manufacturing.html
* base strut includes jury strut clamps too

Appears that Airframes Inc is a reality now and you can order struts from them.

Re: A list of lift strut suppliers

So far looks like there are 3 sources for struts

Please add others that I missed.

This post is a copy of the post that started this thread and Airframes Inc has been added to both.

Prices below are for four struts only, 2 front and 2 rear I round prices up to the next $50 increment. I kept it to 4 struts only so its a fair compare. Don't compare a price with jury struts included to a price witout them. Just keep it to comparison of the four needed struts.


********** I only list FAA/PMA sources below **************

1) Univair about $2750 => http://www.univairparts.com/

2) Tayorcraft about $3250 => http://www.taylorcraft.com/zencart/

3) Airfames Inc about $1800* => http://www.supercubs.com/fab_manufacturing.html
* base strut includes jury strut clamps too

Is Airframes Inc an actual suppllier now or are they a possible supplier in the future? ie Have they been approved?

What does Aircraft Spruce Charge?

Any other new suppliers?

Re: A list of lift strut suppliers

So far looks like there are 3 sources for struts

Please add others that I missed.

This post is a copy of the post that started this thread and Airframes Inc has been added to both.

Prices below are for four struts only, 2 front and 2 rear I round prices up to the next $50 increment. I kept it to 4 struts only so its a fair compare. Don't compare a price with jury struts included to a price witout them. Just keep it to comparison of the four needed struts.


********** I only list FAA/PMA sources below **************

1) Univair about $2750 => http://www.univairparts.com/

2) Tayorcraft about $3250 => http://www.taylorcraft.com/zencart/

3) Airfames Inc about $1800* => http://www.supercubs.com/fab_manufacturing.html
* base strut includes jury strut clamps too

[Gary Snell]

Re: A list of lift strut suppliers

Thought I would pass along that Airframes, Inc in Alaska are taking orders for struts and sounds like they will be ready within a month for the previously mentioned price of $1800. The set will include the jury clamps and the adjustment barrel in the rear strut. Also interesting to note that these struts are not identical to the factory strut and will come with an STC that will require a 337. The rear strut is made of normalized 4130 but the front strut is .035" 1010 mild steel, same that they use on the cubs. Can anyone confirm material alloy and thickness on the factory or Univair struts? I believe I read that the older T's used the mild steel but newer ones use 4130.

[matsuthunder200]

Re: A list of lift strut suppliers

kevin
Ive got my name on the list. I am also here in wasilla. I am going to stop buy lees tomarrow and see how there doing. I know lee and his struts will be by far better than what you can get anywhere else and cheaper.
Cubcrafters build all there supercubs with his airframes and struts. Also he built me a brand new set of tail feathers they were perfect of corse he had to use a small part of the old ones so they could be called a repair......

[Tailwind]

Re: A list of lift strut suppliers

My airplane is at Airframes Inc. at Big Lake Alaska right now. Lee has built a new set of wing struts for it, and today is showing the FAA. With a bit of luck, new sealed struts will be available soon. The price will be $1800 for a set of four. Airframes Inc. already builds all the PMA parts for the PA-18 and several others, so adding a new part to there line is easy. The FAA has agreed to fast track this project since the need is there. They told Lee 2 weeks. Keep your fingers crossed. Kevin

[Ragwing nut]

Re: A list of lift strut suppliers

I don't have an issue with having the AD, I have an issue with their method of compliance which I commented to the FAA about per their request. I also feel with any AD, unless the AD is already complied with an terminated, the market value of the Taylorcraft just dropped $3000 if it doesn't have new sealed struts on it. Anyone willing to take a $3K hicky on a Taylorcraft they got for sale RIGHT NOW????? I doubt it.

Mike

[alwaysoar]

Re: A list of lift strut suppliers

I have no problem with the AD per se, as I can see the potential for disaster. I do have a problem with shelling out even more $ for parts on an airplane that still looks the same, flies the same, and is worth no more despite the $ I pour into it. But that's my problem.

I am more concerned that a new AD on the fuselage strut fitting will come out requiring an elaborate, expensive test that actually will ground the fleet. Replacement is not an option with that fitting; it's rebuild.

[cpirrmann]

Re: A list of lift strut suppliers

I would also question why no consideration is given to those that have recently purchased struts or have checked,treated, and maintained them and thier aircraft.

Because they wouldnt've been forced to buy them from the factory that way. Also, the other things you said were good. We can't eliminate the Darwin factor and, yes, I've even seen stupid pilots. We actually read about many in the NTSB reports. Seems the concern sheets are the way to go.

[Buell Powell]

Re: A list of lift strut suppliers

I think we all agree that the strut issue is serious and have taken a serious aproach in checking and maintaining our aircraft.I still can not imagine that anyone with the mental ability to obtain a pilot's license would fly a plane with struts in such poor condition that they were rusted thru or how it had been passing inspections(this would not have occured in one or two years. Everyone that owns and or maintains an aircraft with strut braced wings knows about the piper AD and why it was issued. What we question is the way this AD was issued and the methods by which it must be complyed with. If this AD was comming for longer than we know why did we not get a servive bulletin bringing it to our attention and possibly what steps we should take. Please reference the service bulletin 78-0001 that was issued by the previous Taylorcraft factory for landing gear tie struts. I would also question why no consideration is given to those that have recently purchased struts or have checked,treated, and maintained them and thier aircraft.

[NC95842]

Re: A list of lift strut suppliers

As much as we like to dump on Canada, they seem to have it right when it comes to vintage light planes.

I can’t agree more!

[cpirrmann]

Re: A list of lift strut suppliers

Crispy (and others) tjis is all great....but we did not need an AD telling us specifically how to do this and leaving us to follow guidlines that are not universally agreed upon as acceptable....There have been crappy airplanes around for a long time....I've seen some real junk.....but we inspect them each year and weed out the bad....if there are rusty struts.....issue a concern sheet and let the IA's fix em if they are broke....this AD is a bad thing because it was hastily issued, offered no public comment due to "urgency" indicating that we are in danger...and furthermore...it's reasoning tells us that all piper cubs are flying in an unsafe condition because the testing criteria is crap.....they've said it.....punch test doesn't work........and I have 4 T-Crafts and a Cub.....I treat all of the T-Crafts with linseed oil through the vent holes each year at annual....no rust....not even on the floatplane.

Well stated. I submit we should do this in other areas we suspect before we get another federal prostate exam.